Court upholds dismissal of 46 counts in Kennebunk prostitution case

The Maine Supreme Court has upheld the dismissal of 46 charges against Mark Strong Sr. in the Kennebunk prostitution case.

A trial judge had previously dismissed the 46 invasion of privacy charges against Strong, prompting prosecutors to appeal the decision to the state's highest court.

Strong still faces 13 invasion of privacy charges in the case.

Strong is accused of helping run a prostitution ring out of a former Kennebunk Zumba studio operated by Alexis Wright.

On Wenesday, prosecutors argued before the Supreme Court that the suspected johns, who were recorded without their knowledge, had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Strong's attorney argued that because the men were engaging in a crime, they had no expectation of privacy.

In a unanimous decision on Friday, the high court rejected the prosecution's appeal.

The justices in their ruling said, "Places of prostitution and people who knowingly frequent them to engage a prostitute are not sanctioned by society. Accordingly, it is objectively unreasonable for a person who knowingly enters a place of prostitution for the purpose of engaging a prostitute to expect that society recognizes a right to be safe from surveillance while inside."

The prosecution and defense had no comment on the decision Friday afternoon, citing a judge's gag order in the case.

Strong's trial was put on hold until the Supreme Court ruled on the prosecution's appeal.

It is unclear when the trial will continue on the remaining 13 counts.

Strong and Wright have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Wright is scheduled to stand trial later this year.

Copyright 2013 byWMTW.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.